1865

 

  June 19, 1865, is a day I will always remember. The Montgomery Plantation wasn't operating as usual. Enslaved women who were accustomed to tirelessly working on the cotton fields were seen sitting together delightfully. Enslaved men who were accustomed to plowing and bricklaying were seen eating good barbecue and drinking bourbon made from scratch. Major General Gordon Granger along with 2,000 Union soldiers made their way through Texas, into Galveston, and unto the Montgomery Plantation. Adonis Montgomery (Master Montgomery) and his brother Bernard Montgomery (Head Overseer) had made a run for their lives. The sun and the stars met in the sky that day for the first and only time in history. My eyes beheld the site of 1,619 acres of land inhabited by 250,000 emancipated men, women, and children. Beyond the festivities and functioning's there were colors on the horizon that took over the atmosphere.      

  Red stood for the blood that was shed by my fellow brothers and sisters during the middle passage and on the plantations throughout the south. The color red also stood for the defiance of enslaved men and women (former, past, and present). Throughout the plantation one could see elderly women wearing red gowns, men and women drinking radiant red punch, along with multiple pieces of cloth being dipped in red dye. Although red is associated with pain, death, and demoralization it is also a color that creates life, brings forth joy, and unites. There is duality in the color red that is never mentioned. A color that is linked to the formation of humanity should not be treated as a hazard or a warning, but with respect and honor.    

  Black stood for the pride that my fellow brothers and sisters had in their history, heritage, and culture. Children sat in circles as their mothers and fathers told them stories about their ancestors. Elders who wore their grey hair proudly guided people into the woods to hug trees, to touch rocks, and bath themselves in the river. A people having pride in their ethnicity and history is important. If a people do not have the knowledge or acknowledge their past they are doomed to repeat the mistakes of their forefathers. To have pride in oneself is not an indication of prejudice or bigotry, but signs of self-love and harmony with humanity.     

  Green stood for the riches and wealth that people of African descent brought from their homeland to the New World. The color green also stood for the creativity enslaved people have showcased throughout every plantation. Green also equates to land. For instance, those who were enslaved had more of a connection to nature than the master in the big house or the overseer patrolling the fields. Even before we were brought to America on the continent, we were one with every element of nature. From the structure of the cotton fields to the trimming around the big house the gifts, passions, and skills of black folks are always on display. It's safe to say that black folks are just as human than the blonde haired blued eyed men that enslaved them.      

  On this day we commemorate men and women who despite being in bondage fought to make the lives of those to come easier. This holiday is a reminder of America's unfinished work and broken promises. Federal or local, this holiday is more than eating, drinking, laughter, and dancing. Let June 19, 2024, be a day of remembrance, honor, and gratitude. May we not be ignorant of the things that matter the most. Evolving and shifting should not scare us but help us fulfill the betterment for those who come after us. 

  I write to you as a 405-year-old oracle. The dreams, aspirations, and hopes of my ancestors live through me. Whether it's the blood that was shed, displaying pride in one's history, or obtaining wealth from the motherland I have travel on a ship through time and space. Each and every word that I have ever written has been for the enhancement of the voiceless. Advancements in my craft only shows me how far I have come. What the future has for me has remained unknown.